So as you may or (more likely) may not have noticed I’ve been behind on my half of the blog posts.
Since we’ve last written we have:
Enjoyed amazingly rich
pazole on Christmas Eve. A restaurant owner Vicky invited her surfer clients and locals alike for a big dinner - a washbasin size pot of
pazole that George had to carry from around the back of the house. (Ticla, Michoacán, MX)
Went from sunning on the beach to running from a wall of torrential rain- it washed everything clean just in time for a wonderful sunset. (Maruata, Michoacán, MX)
Caught up with old friends on amazing new adventures. Motos and all! (Will Overbagh,
Kombi and Me…A love story)
Camped on beaches where stars and a distant city were the only light and surf the only sound. (The Ranch, Guerrero, MX)
Met some awesome folks from around the globe and traveled with some cool cats – a couple from New Jersey Dean, Sarah and their dog Lupe:
sardinetaco.com
One of my morning runs included the sighting of baby turtles making their way to the sea with the rising sun. A thought that still makes me smile. (Chacahua, Guerrero, MX)
Drove off the beaten path – when we arrived one of the locals asked, “how in the world did you find this place?” We were just as surprised at his excellent English. (El Farro, Guerrero, MX)
We drove over an 8,000 foot pass and had to dig out our down jackets – yes, we were surprised there were “cold” mountains in Mexico. (MX 178 from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City)
Tooled around one of the most amazing markets – full of roasted grasshoppers, any part from goats, pigs, cows and chickens,
fresh
queso, produce and
pan. At 5’4” I was a head taller than all the locals. (Outside Oaxaca City)
I wish there was a word to express the fulfillment and gratitude I feel each of these days that we’re on the road. The campground we’re staying in is right outside Oaxaca and is in the middle of an agave field overlooking the city. Stunning. I’ve always enjoyed Mexico, but we’ve commented lately how it’s comfortably like home.
Running tallies:
Peacefully, cheerfully and as quickly as possible crossed paths with the cartel: 2
Tacos: 42 as of 12/16 we've lost count.
Bribes (received or paid): 0
Birds into windshield: 1
Mexican cokes (Coke Naturale): 4
Principe cookies: 15 packages
Topes: too many to count
Mechanicals: 0
# of times Hula girl has fallen off dash: 3
Lost: 1
Bug Bites: George – 2 Rachel – 0 bites on eyelids – both of us
Times we wished we had air-conditioning: 3
Times we wished we had a heater: 2
Square inches of room left in the rocket box: 1
Number of times tacos have won: 2
Toilets are a blessing and a curse; if they flush without a bucket they’re great, if they flush and have a toilet seat they’re amazing, if they flush, have a toilet seat and are clean they make our day. Bathrooms that have made our day: 6
I’ve awoken to all of the following noises; tubas, mariachi bands, church bells, dogs barking, dog orchestras, birds, fireworks, donkeys, huge surf, creeping animals, couples making out, fishermen crashing in the ocean, roosters, chickens and George snoring.
Fast Internet and hot showers are a luxury that we can’t explain.
Favorite food so far:
Quesadillas de Cameron in La Ticla at Jackie’s
Chili Rellenos at Ilianets in La Saladita
Tacos Everywhere:
Al Pastor, Lengua, La Cabeza &
Chivo
